Wherever You Go



I was driving talking to God about how I see myself doing things that are out of character or that I had always found intimidating. At times I do not even choose to step out so that I can see His faithfulness. More and more though, I am seeing my Father through me. In significant ways, yes but, it’s the little ways that get me.
I’m seeing Him in my willingness to be assertive and be an advocate for my family.
I’m seeing God’s words pop out of my face in conversations where my goal previously would have been to soothe instead of confronting. I know this is all fruit from spending time with Him and His Word.

I was thanking Him for all these victorious moments. Then I saw Him standing next to me, and I merely slipped my hand into His. Just like my daughter does when next to her Daddy.
God said to me, “You know I will never ask you to do anything without holding your hand the whole way.”

That is when the “ugly cry” started while driving on a narrow two-lane road.

God indeed will never leave us, He will never forsake us, and He certainly will not ask us to go or do anything without standing there with us.
What are the scary things or the unfamiliar places you know the Father has asked you to walk? If you correct your perception of that journey, the fear will soon lose its footing.
He did not say, go!
He said, “Come on Darlin’ let us go!!!”

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; Psalm 136:16

Home Base




Psalms 91:4
With his feathers, he will cover you,
under his wings, you will find safety.
His truth is your shield and armor.

My "Home Base" is the place in all honesty that my heart returns. If you have come to my page looking for the missing key to whatever breakthrough you are looking for, look no further.
I do not believe we were designed to live independent of God. I do not believe that we can thrive fully in any area without the constant return to Home Base. God has earned my trust. He is a safe place for me, and I believe wholeheartedly in His faithfulness and desires for good in my life.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

If any part of my life is unbalanced, unfruitful or destruction has tried to take hold my heart knows it is not my Dad. My Father is good, He is for me, and this is not my portion.

John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.

Every single day if I fix my eyes on Jesus, allowing the Word of God to show me more of who God is. The mirror of the Bible will reflect all that He says I am and all that He says is mine.
Allow the Bible to create a Home Base that is furnished by the Word of God. Your mind will be renewed, and your default position and response to everything will be the Truth.

"What about resisting the enemy,
what about declaring my healing,
what about all that I still have to learn?"

Our Home Base is not just where we rest and return to for shelter. It is also where we keep all our supplies. Every weapon, nourishing food and comforting blanket I own is in my home, this is true of our hearts as well. You have to start with your heart. Then God will be able to show you the full storehouse of everything you need that flows from His goodness inside of you.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

Sunday Morning



I have had a peaceful Sunday morning.
Quiet time, feed the dogs, feed the kids, clean the kitchen. As I was doing all these things, God kept showing me a picture of going and sitting at my computer desk. That puzzled me, I had no intention of getting on my computer and had no work to accomplished. I wanted to read on the couch quietly while the kids are occupied with playdough. This image would not leave me. It is like a distant memory in my mind or a shadow in the background.
The Holy Spirit and I have a deal. He is responsible for reminding me of things God has asked of me. I am responsible for responding.
Anywho... I left the kids and went to my desk expecting God to meet me and something unexpected and awesome. Do you want to know what happened when I sat down? I found where my cat had thrown up all over my wood desk. It was apparent that it needed to be cleaned up asap before anything was permanently damaged.
Not everything is spiritual, but in everything there is a Spirit who wants to help you, guide you and bless you. If you let Him, God has your back at all times and in all things. Don't dismiss that strange though that keeps returning or the random feeling that you need to call someone. These promptings and tiny whispers are part of the everyday victory God has for us.
P.S. My desk is thoroughly cleaned now, and my cat oversaw the whole cleaning process with great judgment.

Real Life



My Jesus, He entered the seemingly mundane and brought supernatural fulfillment. He met His people watering camels, fishing and cleaning their homes. God is not asking you to shine like the brightest penny and leave the everyday workings of life. He is asking you to allow Him to meet you in your real life. He wants to wash clothes with you, pay bills with you and feed the dog with you.
He likes your life. He loves the things that make your life yours. The one true God became flesh, and for a considerable part of the time, He was here. Jesus walked among mortals and sat in their humanity not disappointed but filled with love and devotion.
Don’t belittle His love by separating every day from your interaction with Him.
Honestly, the most significant inner healing and freedom I have ever received was over a load of laundry or in the shower. God is real, and He loves your normal.

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.

Questions



I have always asked questions. Big questions, little questions, questions that everyone assumed they knew what the answer was. I would question those questions. Now don’t get me wrong I have never been a rebellious kid. I have been a rule follower and friend of authority figures. My parents though had a kid who wasn’t afraid of authority.
In 3rd grade, I had a serious conversation with my gym teacher. I needed a better explanation of why we should run 15 laps around the gymnasium daily. The answer “because it’s good for you” did not suffice. “How is this going to help me in real life and why is the same distance required of every person if everyone is physically different?” These were the questions that infuriated my teacher. I then obeyed and started running only to fall half a lap around and fracture the growth plate in my right foot. When I returned the next day with a boot and a doctor’s note excusing me from activity for the rest of the semester. I do believe that was my first look from an adult of disgust.
Okay, back to my point. This questioning, searching, let’s look at this a little closer part of me. God put that inside me. He has never met my examination of “the assumptions” with anything but delight. God has either confirmed more fully what I had always been taught. Or he rocked my world and delighted in being given the opportunity to reveal revelation and truth. This has brought freedom, intimacy, and trust.
Question authority guys. Ask the unspoken things that you always assumed you were wrong to feel unsettled in. You will be met by a God who is unchanging, faithful to confirm with His Word and peace from the relational trust that brings freedom!!!!
The Bible is full of examples of people asking their God for clarity. Here are some examples.
Jeremiah 1:5-8 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
Psalm 10:1-4 O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord. The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

The Tone




Put me three football fields away, put me in the deepest of sleep, put me in the loudest of showers I will hear it. If my kids are crying the cry that has that particular pitch of pain or fear I hear it. It doesn’t matter the barrier. I wasn’t aware of the keen instincts that kick in and are forever a part of you after becoming a mom. They are 100% accurate and if you try to prevent me from responding, prepare to be attacked by a mama bear who has no mercy.
Do you know who put this instinctive protective response inside of me? God! God did this. I believe we are a reflection of God and our parental instincts mirror the love, devotion and unbridled ninja protector of our Heavenly Father.
He is only allowed to respond in full force when we have handed over our lives. But don’t be fooled. We have a papa bear who is for us. God hates to see any of his kids hurt or scared.
Run to His lap. Let Him fight for you. Let God defend your honor and take away the sting of rejection and pain. He is a good Father, and He is for you.

Exodus 14:14
“The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Arms Open Wide




Are we a people who live with our arms wide open? Ready to embrace others, prepared to share our warmth? Is praise the sound in between the beats of action?
People who live with their arms wide open are not postured to defend. They know where their help comes from. These people are postured to praise and embrace.
I believe Jesus lived this way. If He was in any other stance, He inevitably returned here ASAP.
For those of you clutching with all your might, hanging on by your figure nails or resigned just to move forward. Open your arms wide!! Sing a song of praise even if you are not “feelin’ it.” God inhabits the praise of His people, and His love covers so, so much.
Your conscious choice to praise will prepare you to receive everything God has for you and allow you to release every burden that was never yours to carry.

Psalm 34:1-5
I will bless the Lord at all times;
  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
  Let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
  and let us exalt his name together!
 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
  And delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
  and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Gifts



Today is my Son’s 7th birthday! We love our kind, funny, loving dude.
Yesterday, I spent time wrapping his present from us and preparing for the party this weekend.
I kept going over the details trying to make it special just for him.
I want Him to feel seen, cherished and celebrated!
(The above picture is his actual gift for today. Batman anyone?)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Mathew 7:7-11

I see God with a BIG gift bag. It is crisp and shiny and packed full just for you.
He wants you to ask Him for whatever you need today simply. Big or small, He has them waiting. If you keep your eyes peeled you will see Him sending provisions you did not even know you needed. He is that good of a Father. Just ask. If all you know to ask for is what your present circumstances dictate to you. Search the Word of God and learn of all His promises towards you.
There is nothing sadder then a present hand selected just for you, gift wrapped with you in mind and never opened.

The Stars



I was just about to go to bed, and God asked me to step outside tonight. For once there are many clouds in the Texas sky. He said, "See the stars?" I'm like, "Not really."
Then He reminded me of this verse.

Psalm 136:7-9
To Him who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

Even though I can not at this moment see the stars or point to the moon's bright light. They are there. Just like His ever-present Love for us. Our God is faithful. Trust His love regardless of what you see. It still remains true.

p.s. Meet my kitty Brailey. He is a teddy bear in a catsuit.

What Does It Look Like?



What does absolute victory look like for you? Can you see it in your heart?
Have you focused on the details and the whole satisfying picture?
There was a season in my life where I would not allow myself to go there completely.
The big picture of what freedom looked like scared me. It had become foreign as my world was filled with pain and coping
. I am one, by nature, who makes the best of exactly where I am. One way I do this is I don't look to the left or right I just find the best in right here. This is an excellent trait when I don't accept the pieces of here that are contrary to God's best.
Time and again it was Jesus who brought the dream of victory to my heart. In fact, the whole Word of God is a picture of completed victory through Jesus! He would tell me of a life lived for others, serving others. He would paint a picture of a husband to share adventures with and nations to delight in.
If you listen closely, you too, right where you are, will hear the Spirit whispering a picture of wholeness, victory, and dare I say, freedom. You are not responsible for forming the details. You are responsible for accepting and protecting the desires God plants within you.
Delight yourself in Him. Worship Him right where you are and He will meet you with a picture of life!
You cannot go where you haven't ever seen yourself going first. This is true of a short walk to the bathroom or a year-long journey across the United States. Big or small He will lead you to step by step to the absolute victory Jesus purchased for you.

Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person's ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
Proverb 16:1-3
There is surely a future hope for you,
  and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:18

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
 "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
 plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

We Don't Get To Decide



This is the truth. That who God is does not ebb and flow with our perspective or opinions. Who God is is unchanging and steadfast. The only fixed point we have to learn this truth is the Word of God. Yes, over time our experience and personal relationship can confirm this truth.
If you are facing a giant in your life that has not seemed to bow to the God of the Bible. If the pain you are feeling screams in the face of a God that speaks life. Stand firm, renew your mind with His thoughts written for you. Our mighty God, He is who He says He is. God is not a man that He should lie. Allow God to be the fixed point you navigate your life around. His Word promises that when you do life will abound and joy will return.

Numbers 23:19
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Psalm 103:2-4
Praise the Lord, my soul,
  and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
  and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
  and crowns you with love and compassion,

Life



There is a spirit of suicide preying on God’s people. It is seeking those whose thoughts have turned from the absolutes in the Word of God. The absolutes of life, of healing that has already been purchased, the absolutes of a Love that never ever fails. Turn your thoughts friends. Open your Bible now and let it remind you of God’s absolute VICTORY and your right to it as the sons and daughters of the only true and living God.
God is faithful, and He will show Himself faithful as you choose life in your thoughts. Take captive every thought that attempts to present it’s self as truth though it is contrary to the standard that is the Word of God.
You are loved. You are chosen, and you are wanted!!! Choose LIFE!

1 Peter 5:7-8
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Change of Plans


I am a stay-at-home mama or as my husband refers to it “self-employed.” This blessing affords me the luxury of flexibility. Honestly, that is not my strong suit. I tend to make a plan and drive towards it like a bear towards honey.
The Holy Spirit is patiently teaching me to heed His prompting. I’m talking about the thousands of small decisions we make daily. God wants to change our predetermined plans for His better path. Even when the flexibility isn’t evident, and other people’s wishes are so pressing. God has made a way. At times the Spirit is saying go left when everyone else is saying go right. This has happened literally at a stop light. I move over just in time for an unseen police car to speed by. Or at a store when He says “Don’t go outside yet.”
These course corrections may be for my benefit, or they may allow me to get out of the way for the benefit of others. I may never know all the whys. I do know who is telling me to change my plans. I know that He is for me and His plans for me are for my good. Heed that still small voice friends. He won’t override your will, but if you let Him, God will change your plans and cause all things to work for your good!!! The heeding to God’s prompting only happens for me when I take time to listen when I slow down a beat and allow my shepherd to make the next step plain. It’s our choice.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
  and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
  and he will make straight your paths.

Flexing Contest



Imagine muscle guys on a stage huffing and puffing. Doing every possible maneuver to out flex one another. (Ridiculous and rather funny I know.)
It seems like this is what we try to get into with God. We imagine that He will show himself strong as we “do our part” in this grace walk and flex our muscles next to Him for all to see.
Oh darlin', sit down!!

1 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

Our God is strong! He has no interest in you flexing and posturing in this fight. He is longing for you to acknowledge His faithful strength. God awaits your joyful anticipation of His Victory in your life.
You are wearing yourself out trying to play the fighting role when as more than an overcomer you were meant to stand and proclaim the victory!!

Romans 8:37
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

In the Early Hours



My kids are still asleep.
I can hear some rare and steady rain pouring outside. The Word is calling. It shows me who He is. It shows me who I am. It reminds me of the life filled melody God sings over my home. It fills me to be able to pour out all His overflowing goodness.
This is an excellent start to a weekend. The leftover Chipotle lime chips at 6 a.m. are also Jesus Y'all!!!

Fight or Flight




God can use your fight or flight instinct for His glory! He didn't mean it to be a do or die maneuver. He expected it to be an "oh, I didn't see you there. I won't trip over you!" reflex. Since we live in this fallen world, He can channel it into a place where what the enemy meant for our harm is not fruitful. He can direct it into what our stupid, absent-minded decisions brought on doesn't take us out. We are wired for victory! We are made for survival.
He programmed your genetic code to thrive!!! What an awesome God we serve. Not only did He purchase our good outcome, But He also programmed us to react instinctually to a threat. As we read the Word, our spiritual senses are exercised, and good and evil are sensed. Let God program your reaction based on His Word and the New Convent. It will renew your mind and train you to respond to every attack properly as you mature. This Covenant comes from a place of Victory! What Peace! What Assurance!

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:14

The Quiet Voice



These are my pups Ranger (the dappled one) and Scout(black and white one). They are 6 months old. (Insert cute cooing!!)
I have found that unless I speak deeply and with great authority, they don’t respond. My husband could whisper, and they would snap too. Not me, I’m the nurturing, always there and familiar voice. What they don’t get is I’m the feeder. I’m the one who gets up and feeds them at 6 a.m. I am the one who buys their treats and makes sure they are clean.
I know I take the quiet, familiar voice of my nurturer for granted often. Always there, never late, faithful in every way. Lord, help me choose to be still and hear You. Then let me respond quickly to your heeding. You are a good God. The God that is for me and brings strength to my bones. Show me how to be quiet and respond!!

Victorious


This grainy, blurry and very happy picture was taken on the 4th of July! I love it.
We were all made to live in freedom, to live in relational intimacy with the Father. God intended for us to live dependent on Him for our outcome and to have a result that looks nothing short of Victorious!!
Whatever area of your life looks less, whatever area of your life has been stifled or is gasping for air. Your Heavenly Father never intended for the struggle to be there but He has made a way through Jesus for you to have complete victory. God wants nothing less for you because less in any area means less of Himself in your life.
Open the Word. Let it paint a picture in your heart of a Father.
This Daddy loves you, He cherishes you, and He is the hands down best orchestrator of life PERIOD! He will earn your trust if you let Him. He will turn that trust into a conduit to bring life to the dead places.

Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Psalm 34:8

Time to stop, read, ponder, fellowship with and expect Him!

Excellent Teaching on Healing

This is a fantastic teaching on healing from a man who is in covenant with Andrew Wommack. I love Pastor Duane Sheriff and believe this is entirely worth your time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2No4BgQOnYk&feature=youtu.be

Repair


 I mended my daughter’s tiger today. You see, Tiger is her most prized possession, her bedtime companion, and lovey. As I was repairing the tear in his belly, she watched closely. She clapped and kissed Tiger. She never once told me I was sewing wrong or insisted I was done before I told her it was finished. She just smiled and waited with anticipation. It made me wonder how many times I had given my broken treasures to God, only to watch anxiously as He mended them, even at times taking it back from his hands before the mending was complete. He is so faithful to restore and repair. I just need to remember to leave things in His hands and clap with anticipation. He is a good Daddy. He truly is.